Last night, the Red Sox pulled off a lopsided 7-1 win against the Royals, despite one of Terry Francona's strangest lineups this year. The Royals actually scored first as Mike Moustakas doubled to left to lead off the 3rd. After Alcides Escobar bunted him to third base, Alex Gordon hit a long fly ball into the gap and Jacoby Ellsbury made a fantastic running catch (Check Web Gems or something), Moustakas still scored but it could've been much worse. In the 4th inning, Carl Crawford doubled down the 1st base line to lead off the inning. One batter later, Darnell McDonald hit a long blooping liner into the gap, it just evaded Melky Cabrera's glove and once all the dust settled, it was an RBI triple. The batter later, Jacoby Ellsbury hit a fly ball to center field and McDonald scored on. In the 5th, the Sox led off the inning with singles by Jed Lowrie and Ryan Lavarnway (Congrats on his 1st MLB hit!!!). After an out, Jarrod Saltalamacchia took an 0-2 changeup over the wall for a 3-run homer to give the Sox a 5-1 lead. It stayed that way until the 8th inning, when Jacoby Ellsbury was hit square in the back to start the inning. He stayed in the ballgame though and after a double down the 3rd base line for Mike Aviles, the Sox were in business. Adrian Gonzalez flew out to Alex Gordon to score a run and make it 6-1 and after a ground ball hit by Dustin Pedroia skipped under 
Alcides Escobar's glove, the Sox scored another and made it 7-1. Andrew Miller was very sharp in his spot start, he only allowed 3 hits and a run through 5 1/3 innings and walked only 1 batter. After last night's start, he stands at 5-1/4.99/33. He was relieved by Alfredo Aceves, who really did a great job by saving the bullpen, he pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just a hit and striking out 3. Jacoby Ellsbury played a good game, going 1-3 with a run and an RBI. Mike Aviles also did well against his old team going 2-5 with a run scored and a double. Adrian Gonzalez broke out of his slump, going 3-4 with an RBI and 2 doubles. Jed Lowrie went 3-4 with a run scored in a good day for him. Ryan Lavarnway only went 1-4, scoring a run, but congratulations on your first major league hit, the beginning of a long and fruitful career we hope. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (left) only went 1-5, but that one hit, the 3-run homer, was the key play of the game, as it changed the game from a nailbiter to a rout, he is now .246/12/41. Darnell McDonald went 1-4 with a run and an RBI, but that hit was a triple, his 1st of the season. Tonight, Tim Wakefield (6-4/4.90/66) will seek 200 wins for the 5th time, this time against Felipe Paulino (1-5/3.76/75 with the Royals) and the Royals.
Bright Spots:
Andrew Miller- he was very sharp, allowing just 1 run and 3 hits in 5 1/3
Alfredo Aceves- pitched great out of the bullpen with 3 2/3 scoreless innings
Jacoby Ellsbury- 1-3 with a run and an RBI
Mike Aviles- 2-5 with a double and a run scored
Adrian Gonzalez- 3-4 with an RBI and 2 doubles
Jed Lowrie- 3-4 with a run scored
Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 1-5 with a key 3-run homer
Dull Spots:
Nobody!
This was a great game for the Sox, and I'm really glad we're hitting again!
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